Looking to Get High Quality Meat? Subscribe to ButcherBox For Proper Fed Animals!
- Please note: if you click on the link and make a purchase, I may receive a small affiliate commission
Check Out the Monthly Deal

Are There Essential Carbohydrates For Dietary Needs?

One frequent issue you will hear about all the time should you choose any "non SAD" diet is that your body REQUIRES glucose to live and hence you must eat carbs, so then the question is, can you die without sugar? While your body does require some variable degree of glucose to operate efficiently it […]
Josh Koop
January 5, 2021

One frequent issue you will hear about all the time should you choose any "non SAD" diet is that your body REQUIRES glucose to live and hence you must eat carbs, so then the question is, can you die without sugar?

While your body does require some variable degree of glucose to operate efficiently it doesn't need "carbs" to get them as your body has internal processes that help convert other things like fats into useable glucose, this has been a process that allowed humans to flourish across the world.

Lets talk a little about this somewhat myth, about why you need glucose and what needs glucose and then how humanity has survived periods of low glucose and you will see its largely a stretch on the science.

Why Does Your Body Need Sugar?

The main question people always ask is around sugar and whether it is in fact necessary, and to the point whether this needs to be eaten each day to help maintain overall health from a longevity standpoint so, do you need sugar to live?

There are some specific processes within the brain that function from glucose, without glucose they could have issues. The brain requires around 130 grams of glucose per day to keep functioning based on the brain needs, obviously companies are quick to make you believe this needs to be consumed.

The push being that your body can't make this and that this is why you MUST eat 130g of carbohydrate at least daily. While it is true of glucose they intone that it is needed from dietary sourcing and this is absolutely false.

Do We Need Sugar to Survive?

So the real answer will be to the question of do we need sugar to survive and in fact this is a direct no. There is no process that the human body that runs that requires direct sugars intake.

Carnivore Diets and the Excess Protein Becomes Glucose Argument

This really grew in the world as non Standard American Diets grew in popularity, people started spreading the word that somehow protein over the "needs" of the body somehow were magically turned into glucose.

Protein has the ability to become glucose but this process is demand driven, if you are in need of glucose the body will preferably convert protein to sugar. This is why you want to ensure adequate protein intake within the diet and not short it to cut calories.

If your body needs the glucose it will get it one way or the other, either from consumed protein that is available, or through pillaging your hard earned muscle mass.

If this choice was up to myself then i would obviously say the better choice is to have your body take it from the food eaten, this is what would be called "muscle sparing" as it keeps your muscle from being broken down.

What Happens When You Cut Out Added Sugar

When you start to transition to a carbohydrate free, or carnivore diet, you will experience many things due to the decrease in your overall and added sugar intake.

Much of what will happen will be an immediate loss in the first week of a significant amount of pure water weight, for some this will be anywhere from 1-10+ pounds of near instant loss. This will also start to remove that inflammation so many people feel easier movement and less "exhaustion" feelings.

As you can see just from the simplistic change of moving to a carnivore diet you feel a dramatic amount of changes starting to occur within weeks of starting.

While many will be excited for this weight loss you must note that it is water weight and if you should decide to switch back after the diet you will gain this water weight back as the carbs are introduced.

Final Thoughts on Can You Die Without Sugar

Your body has a vast array of options to make glucose when the needs arise, the dietary intake isn't the primary means your body uses to get this glucose in all cases your body mixes the sources.

While intake of glucose through carbs will provide pretty easily accessed glucose it also has been shown to give increased inflammation and many other side effects.

As with all things diet related there are studies on both sides that say the other is wrong, unfortunately the body isn't a black and white machine but is entirely grey, make your choice and adapt as you need to.

For many people who work out a lot they may need more food in general, as it is known that Dr Baker eats an immense amount of ribeye to keep up with his energy output for workouts which does increase glucose needs.

To the Carniovore Dieters Who Will Settle for Nothing Less Than Quality Meats

I have used ButcherBox now for going on nearly 3 years as finding meat that isn't raised on candy or junk like corn isn't easy. Instead of spending hours searching to get the best quality I have chosen to have ButcherBox deliver me high quality meats, from Ribeyes, Brisket, ground beef... Others may choose chicken with all cuts from whole to breasts, thighs, and more Then add in my side favorite which is heritage pork that tastes sooooooo much better than any store bought pork I have ever had.
Check Out The ButcherBox Current Sales

Carnivore Rx

The #1 place for newbies and beginners to learn about a carnivore diet and lifestyle. A place to learn and understand more about nutrition and health.

Join Us On Social

Copyright © 2020 CarnivoreRx. All Rights Reserved.
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram